Emily "Bootsie" Nanni

Emily (Bootsie) Nanni went home Monday, June 18, 2012 to join her family and friends that went before. Emily was born on March 9, 1927 in Spring Valley to Louis and Emily Karpinski, and as a baby was given the nickname "Bootsie" by her father, a name she was better known by than Emily. She graduated from Hall High School in 1945, worked at Westclox, and married Anton Nanni on June 14th, 1947. They lived and raised their family in Mark. There were two children, son James, and daughter Susan. Their home was often host to family gatherings and parties, her bread rolls and barbecue were always a hit at pot lucks. Her kitchen was full of good smells and her voice singing songs from the big bands and the 40's. While working as a homemaker she was busy with The Mothers Club, Sacred Heart Altar and Rosary Society, The Keys club, and helping at the homecoming celebrations in Mark. Later she was assistant post master at the Mark Post Office, retiring after more than 35 years of service. Bootsie though is most famous in Mark for her home made Halloween popcorn balls, as 50 or 60 year old "children" would go back to her house each year for a remembrance of when they were little. In 1987 she was dealt a double blow as her husband of almost 40 years died suddenly in April, and her daughter Susan, only 34, passed away of illness in August. Bootsie then began a new life as she undertook the care of her 2 grandsons, Tony and John. Having never driven a car, she learned and got a license at age 60 so that she need not be dependent on others. Both boys graduated high school and entered the military. Diagnosed with cancer in 1994 she endured the surgeries, treatments, prayed and knew God still had plans for her. Life dealt her more pain in 2004 when her 20 year old grandson John, after returning from duty in Afghanistan, was killed in a traffic accident as he was sitting at a stop sign. She then began the John Housby Memorial Scholarship in his name and each year helps a deserving student reach their goals in his name. Always enjoying life, she got to Disney World for her 80th birthday, and having seen Las Vegas when her grandson Gabriel married there in 1997, she made sure to return. Cards and crosswords were her favorite hobbies; family time meant the world to her. Her faith carried her through as her health began failing, she was fond of saying "what will be will be, the Lord has his plans". She is survived by her son James (Nancy) Nanni of Granville, grandson Philip Nanni of Granville, grandson Anthony (Megan) Housby of Fort Leaonardwood, MO, grandson Gabriel (Michelle) Nanni of Naperville, and 2 great-grandsons, Joel Nanni and Joshawa Roberts Nanni of Naperville. Bootsie also leaves scores of nieces, nephews and their children to remember her. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Anton Nanni, her three sisters, Louise Vulcani, Frances Wozniak and Cecilia (Bubbles) Hocking, her daughter Susan Housby, grandsons John Robert Housby and Jesse Adam Housby, and granddaughter Paige Nanni. Pallbearers will be Jim Nanni, Philip Nanni, Gabriel Nanni, Joshawa Nanni, Joel Nanni and Anthony Housby. Memorials may be sent to Catholic based charities, the John Housby Memorial Fund, or Putnam County Achievement Center.

Service/Memorial Information

Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, June 21, 2012 at the Dysart - Cofoid Funeral Chapel in Granville, followed with a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Granville. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Granville. Visitation will be at the Dysart - Cofoid Funeral Chapel in Granville on Wednesday from 5 to 8 pm. with the recitation of the rosary at 5 p.m.

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